The hosts Zimbabwe are on a slide. Ever since their triumph over Bangladesh on their return to test ending their six year exit from the longer format, Zimbabwe have been bullied by their opponents. Pakistan whitewashed them mercilessly, and, now New Zealand are giving them a similar kind of pasting.
A lop sided two match twenty-20 series was followed with a another humiliating defeat in the first ODI of five match series. In all the fixtures against New Zealand, bowlers have been on a receiving end failing to make an impression. A chase of 232 proved to be a cakewalk for the tourists.
Top order hasn’t helped the matters either. Most of them have failed miserably getting out to some reckless stroke-making. There were a couple of positives in the previous game, though. Skipper Brendan Taylor scored a masterful 128, most of them in Forster Mutizwa, who contributed equally crucial 69 when chips were down. The rest of the pack, however, departed before reaching the double figure mark. All this emphasizes the home team has disappointed as a unit.
All this will be frustrating for the team management. How dearly they would want their charges to put a fight for Zimbabwe. For that to happen, batsmen will have to put price on their wickets. The likes of Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza will have to shoulder responsibilities and give their bowlers something to bowl at. Bowling has lacked teeth, and, hardly looked to take a Kiwi wicket. Some changes are likely to be made in either department.
Their opponents New Zealand haven’t got much to worry about. The top order is firing on all cylinders taking Zimbabwean bowlers apart. Martin Guptil and Brendan McCullum have contributed to the winning cause in every single game. The highlight of the victory was a debut century from opener Rob Nicol that anchored the chase ever so smoothly for Kiwis to start go 1-0 up in the series.
Another debutant shone with fast bowler Doug Bracewell scything through the home team top order. The young pacer took three wickets in his maiden ODI spell and denied the opposition a good start.For Kiwis, it is case of keeping winning momentum going. The hosts, though, have a lot on the platter to take care of if they want to stage a contest infront of their home crowd.
Zimbabwe Squad: Brendan Taylor (C), Chamu Chibhabha, Christopher Mpofu, Elton Chigumbura, Forster Mutizwa, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Kyle Jarvis, Malcolm Waller, Natsai Mushangwe, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Vusimuzi Sibanda.
New Zealand Squad: Ross Taylor (capt), Graeme Aldridge, Doug Bracewell, James Franklin, Martin Guptil, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.
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